Magic trackpad and iPad?

I'm still amazed at the number of folks who by a touch based tablet device, then do their darndest to turn it into a laptop.

dmb16 wrote:

I need a lightweight device while I am travelling. I want to be able to read PDFs from my file system and from time to time type longish documents. The keyboard and trackpad can go in my checked baggage which keeps down the weight of my carry on bag. Air New Zealand has a carry on limit of 7kgs (about 15lbs) so weight saving is really important so a Macbook Air is a less useful solution.

I don't understand, how much lighter is the iPad + bluetooth keyboard + Magic trackpad going to be than the Macbook Air 11"? I actually think it would be heavier...

Macbook Air 11" = 1.08kg

iPad = 0.66kg

Magic Trackpad 0.14g

Apple Wireless Keyboard 0.4g

Total = 1.2kg

m0thr4 wrote:

I keep hearing: "Shouldn't be very difficult to implement".

As a software developer it strikes me that, for an operating system entirely built from the ground up to be a mouse-free environment, going in at this stage attempting to bolt on mouse support would be an utter nightmare to implement.

The only reason trackpad support is available for products like Citrix is that the trackpad input is being passed through to an operating system that already expects mouse-type input.

After reading Steve Job's open article on the reasons iOS does not support Flash, my own feeling is that not only will we never see mouse/trackpad support for iOS devices but, eventually, mouse style input will be as obsolete as floppy disk drives (and soon hard disks, CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, etc).

And, in fact, I say "good riddance" to the mouse and its cousin the trackball... I have always hated them with a passion since they first appeared - hardcore keyboard user, you see ;-)

A nightmare? Not really. In fact iOS already has a cursor built in. It is used for accessibility purposes, but could easily be adapted for mouse control. Using finger-input in a mouse driven environment is a nightmare. Fingers being nowhere near as accurate. A mouse is more than accurate enough to emulate the point of a finger.

James Ward4 wrote:

I'm still amazed at the number of folks who by a touch based tablet device, then do their darndest to turn it into a laptop.

Most of us who want the option of using a mouse have absolutely no intention of turning our iPads into full fledged laptops. The point is that you can already use an external keyboard with the iPad. But when doing so the touchscreen becomes awkward; Steve Jobs himself admitted that having a vertical touchscreen in front of a keyboard is not an ideal setup. Now here is the thing: People who have keyboards for their iPads do not use them 100% of the time. We still frequently use our iPads as pure tablets. This would not change with the introduction of mouse support. In contrast leaving your keyboard and mouse behind isn't something you can do with a laptop.

I have a solution for you?

Buy an android device that has the features you want?

Really, who complains about their decision after they knew quite well what they were buying? And if they didn't know what they were buying, I rest my case.

iPads and Android devices each have their pros and cons. It is quite possible that the iPad still proved to be the more ideal purchase for him despite this one limitation. I know it did for me.

I agree. Playing games maybe, or using occasionally when traveling and you only want the one device instead of an iPad AND a laptop. Otherwise I have my laptop at home for everyday needs like that that DOES easily connect with a wireless mouse. Or if my son has a friend over to play games against each other online and a game-friendly set-up would be nice.

Com'on Apple!

"Can it do a screen dump?" - Hilarious! 😁

Actually yes, if you push the power and home button at the same time.

I have a Magic Track Pad which I use, on occasion, with my iMac. I would like also to use it, on occasion with my iPad 3. However Apple have a bee in their bonnet about not using track pads with ipads. Yes, I realise you don;t need to use a track pad but I would like to have the choice!! They are quite happy with external keyboards of course. Reminds me of their similar problem with Flash!!

I use my iPad as a portable and lighter replacement for a laptop fully realising that I cant run heavyweight software on it. But it can do all the lightweight tasks like emails and Numbers and Pages. OK so I don't need a mouse but a track pad would be nice.

However it looks like Apple don't have the will or the ability to implement the necessary mods. In this day and age when everybody is looking for total integration between all systems I find this amazingly short sighted. Well if they really can't do it I will move to a tablet that can. There is no such word as can't in IT. Those who say "won't" simply get left behind.

moggin wrote:

Well if they really can't do it I will move to a tablet that can. There is no such word as can't in IT. Those who say "won't" simply get left behind.

Yup, the iPad is going to be a dismal failure.

Oh yes, a dismal failure. Only 122,000,000 this year alone and in excess of 40% of the global tablet market share. They are obviously doomed. 😁

moggin, as I wrote a few post before yours:

"I have a solution for you?

Buy an android device that has the features you want.

Really, who complains about their decision after they knew quite well what they were buying? And if they didn't know what they were buying, I rest my case."

The late Steve Jobs made it clear he didn't have plans for an external pointing device for the iPad. Go for it, leave Apple since they can't or won't.

Just go android if you need the mouse. As an admin supporting hundreds of users my iPad turns into a $700 hot spot for my laptop. I have had customers switch from iPads to android pads just for that reason alone. One customer swapped out 20 tablets to android because all their users were dragging folders onto other directories by accident using their fingers to open up docs and spread sheets through XenApp and XenDesktop. Its too bad they are digging in their heals on this one. Some how I have a feeling it wouldn't be too hard to add the API but none the less Lucky is right. Buy what you need to fit your requirements.

I join the chorus that says: let us have Magic Trackpad use for iPad! Eventually, Apple will respond favorably. At 72 years of age, my fingers are considerably more accurate on the trackpad surface than the iPad screen. Those in opposition don't have to use such a feature, but please allow those in favor the privilege. Thanks. And have a great week.